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As of June 30, 2021, Dare County tax collector Beck Huff and her staff have collected 99.67% of the 2020 ad valorem tax levy.

The percentage collected dictates the property tax amount the Dare commissioners can budget for the next fiscal year.

Huff told the commissioners the percentage at Aug. 2 was higher at 99.75%.

She thinks that the collection percentage puts Dare County in the top five counties in the state.

Huff is required to submit an annual settlement of paid and unpaid taxes to the county’s Board of Commissioners.

The total county real estate and personal property levy for 2020 was $65,323,498.86.

This total includes all real estate, mobile homes, boats, rental personal property and business personal property. It also includes properties in bankruptcy, properties with unknown owners and properties in conflict regarding ownership, reports Huff in her report.

Unpaid taxes for the year total $331,287.77.

Huff also reported on the process for collecting these taxes. Providing electronic payments freed staff to make additional contacts. For the 2020 tax year, over 1,200 telephone calls were made. Current and paid in full payment plans numbered 102. Second and final notices were mailed to 105 taxpayers. Pre-foreclosure letters were mailed to 217 taxpayers and lienholders.

Ten parcels are in bankruptcy with seven delinquent. Some 102 parcels are in active foreclosure.

The Dare commissioners must charge the tax collection department to begin collections.

Huff announced that tax bills are not yet ready to be mailed due to the creation of beach nourishment tax districts, which require manual data entry. The charge to the tax collector is expected at the Aug.16, 2021 commissioners meeting.

Asked by commissioner Danny Couch about collection from Airbnbs and VRBOs, Huff replied “as far as we can tell, we’re not losing revenue.” She said tracking down the businesses requires detective work. “We’re getting better at finding them.”

Ad valorem tax collection rates for the towns are Kill Devil Hills, 99.72%; Kitty Hawk, 99.68%; Manteo, 99.64%; Southern Shores, 99.81%; and Duck, 99.99%.

As for beach nourishment assessments, Kill Devil Hills collection rate is 99.86% with $954.01 outstanding; Kitty Hawk is 99.84% with $838.10 outstanding; Duck is 99.98% with $214.66 outstanding.

Huff also reported on the Roanoke Island water assessment, which is in year 10. Some 92.55% of the assessments have been paid on the $4,875,685 total. The balance remaining is $363,152.47. Of those not paying, 275 are in payment plans and 25 have questions about the assessment.

The Southern Shores Special Assessment for $30,000 has been paid in full.

The Town of Nags Head conducts its own tax collection.

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